Chapter 64: Transfer [side Yukari Tomonaga]
*Warning: Contains sexual content!*
Like in an otome game?
I wonder if there's any way I can turn my admiration (Kuzu-kun) and my goal (Kousuke-kun) into my ideal (both)? That's what I'm thinking.
Kuzu-kun is super popular... I really want to find a way to start dating him just like this...
Kousuke-kun doesn't stand out, but he's handsome, and he's amazing at both sports and academics.
...Kousuke-kun is kind, right? He spoils me... if I ask him, maybe... could it work out somehow?
Someday I'll have to choose... but for now, I'll carefully observe them...
I'm not dating either of them yet, so it's not cheating.
But even those happy fantasies get dragged back to reality by more harassment.
The morning of the day after tomorrow is finally the culture festival.
Today too, I'm walking to school with Kuzu-kun. Ever since we made up the other day, we've gotten so much closer.
With a slightly sweet vibe, Kuzu-kun touches my shoulder or hand.
I go, "Hey!" but I don't push him away.
I've kissed Kousuke-kun, so I guess this much is okay?
I'd let my guard down a bit, thinking the harassment had stopped since then.
When I got to the classroom, Osada-san said,
Osada: "Yukaricchi? It's not a big deal or anything, but there are flowers on your desk."
On my desk, there's a vase from another class? With chrysanthemums in it.
...What is this? It's creepy... Get rid of it!
Osada-san looks thoughtful.
Osada: "Who did this? And why? What does it mean?"
I'm indignant,
"It only means someone's harassing me! It's so gross!"
Osada: "So? Why would someone harass you? Any idea? Jealousy of a pretty girl? Envy? Just some jerk? Someone in the beauty contest? A grudge? If we narrow down the motive, we can predict their next move, right?"
Even though she's smart, Osada-san just keeps thinking and isn't helpful...
Eek! I'm sorry! How did you know what I was thinking?!
Osada-san told me to say whatever comes to mind, so I start listing recent events.
...Ah, ah! Isn't it Mishima-san!?
Mishima Satsuki-san!
"Mishima Satsuki-san! She got involved with me over summer break! Our classes, 5 and 6, are competing! We'll face each other in the beauty contest! That girl seems like she'd totally obsess over the contest! Also, there's the Kousuke-kun ex-boyfriend thing...?"
Osada: "Ex-boyfriend? I think I heard something about that."
That's it! If you think about it that way, doesn't it all make sense?!
Everything fits! My deduction is perfect!
Osada-san still looked unconvinced, though.
Osada: "Well, it could be related to the beauty contest. It's tomorrow, so be careful on your way home today, okay? Even a guy like that is better than no one, right?"
Is she talking about Kuzu-kun? Osada-san really doesn't get how great Kuzu-kun is, huh? No eye for people?
Hehe, well, I guess it can't be helped.
I felt a little superior and left a bit earlier than everyone else.
The day after tomorrow is the first day of the culture festival, with the pre-beauty contest PR.
I'll wear my appeal outfit and walk the runway. The video of it will keep playing, so it's important PR. It's also an ad for the class's maid café.
I can't cut corners, and if I mess up, Osada-san will kill me and make it look like an accident!
I ended up telling poor Kuzu-kun, who was called "that guy", about this.
Kuzu-kun was grumbling, saying Osada-san is scary.
The day before the culture festival seems like the most dangerous! So tomorrow, I'm bringing a change of clothes and leaving early.
The next day, I changed into my casual clothes on the way home and took a detour, so it was already getting dark.
I arrived at Toko Station and passed through the ticket gates.
Toko Station is a rural station, with Toko High School nearby and not much else.
Actually, the area where the prefectural and national roads intersect a little ways away is where the town is more lively.
My house is on the way there.
It's in a residential area just off the main road.
If you go the other way, toward the rice fields, you end up on a road with few people, leading to places you want to avoid, like love hotels or the power substation.
It was Kuzu-kun who noticed something was off. He rarely calls me by my name. He only does it sometimes when it's just the two of us. He only lets me call him Kuzu-kun.
*Because Kuzu-kun once called another girl's name on a date and it turned into a disaster.*
Kuzu: "Hey, Yukari-san? Try not to look, but can you see the end of the main road?"
At the edge of the main road, in the area with no foot traffic? Someone?
They don't seem tall, but they look sturdy?
"Huh? Could that be a suspicious person?"
Kuzu: "I've got a bad feeling. Let's take a detour?"
I nod because I'm scared. I hope it's nothing...
Kuzu: "Don't look back, okay? ...They're following us..."
"Eek!"
He quietly told me not to make a sound!
Kuzu-kun gave me instructions in a whisper.
I want to go back to the station, but they're behind us so I can't.
If we keep going, we'll end up either near my house or in the area with few people by the rice fields...
Kuzu: "I don't want them to know where your house is...!"
*Staged event*
Kuzu-kun! ...He's so reliable... I bet Kousuke-kun is just cluelessly helping Nagase-san set up at the burger shop. So unreliable...
*...I have nothing more to say...*
Kuzu: "Let's cut through toward the rice fields and loop back to the station. If anything happens, I'll protect you, so Yukari-san, run...!"
"...But. ...Okay, got it!"
What a brave boy!
My instincts weren't wrong...!
We turned off the main road and entered the rice field path with few people.
The streetlights are dim, and the atmosphere is creepy!
No! They're following us!
The suspicious person is running toward us!
They're rushing in between me and Kuzu-kun!
No!!!
Bam! I get shoved aside, and Kuzu-kun says something so cool, truly cool!
Kuzu: "I'll protect Yukari-san no matter what! I won't let them lay a finger on you!" Glance. *Want any commentary?* So cool... Like a real prince. My first love wasn't a mistake. I crawl away to a safe distance, and when I look back, the suspicious person and Kuzu-kun are grappling! Be careful! Kuzu-kun! Kuzu: "I'll protect you even if it costs me my life!"
*It's all an act.*
The struggle with the suspicious person continues!
A flash of silver!
Kuzu-kun's sleeve is torn open!
The suspicious person is holding a big utility knife!
With the blade fully extended, it's nothing but a weapon, and I collapse with fear.
Another swing!
Kuzu-kun blocks it with his other arm!
His shirt sleeve is all shredded!
The suspicious person clicks their tongue and runs off!
They were fast and disappeared in a flash...
Kuzu-kun was dumbfounded too.
Of course! We were suddenly attacked with a knife!
Kuzu-kun was so brave.
He faced a knife-wielding attacker and protected me without backing down!
I can't even look Kuzu-kun in the eye anymore...!
Kuzu: "W-w-what?! No one said they'd be using a knife... What if I got hurt..."
*That was an unplanned performance.*
Kuzu-kun is muttering to himself, probably in shock... Well, of course he is.
Kuzu-kun snaps back to his senses, grabs my hand, and leads me away from the scene!
Right, if we dawdle and they come back again...!
Embarrassed by the warmth of his hand pulling me along, I let myself be dragged into the building...
Kuzu-kun, looking like he's done this before, goes inside and picks out a room?
Huh?
Isn't this a love hotel?
We enter the room and lock the door.
I feel relieved, but Kuzu-kun's sleeve and arm are all torn up from that box cutter earlier!
Kuzu-kun! Are you okay!?
Kuzu: "Huh? I'm okay, but... ugh! My arm... More importantly, what about you, Yukari-san? If you even got a scratch, I'd—!"
*He doesn't seem to be very good at acting.*
"Yeah, I'm fine because you protected me, Kuzu-kun! But more importantly, what about you, Kuzu-kun? Are you really okay?"
I can hear him mumbling... I can't believe someone actually tried to cut us...
Kuzu-kun takes off his coat, then his sweatshirt, then his long-sleeved shirt... Wow, he was wearing a lot of layers. Good.
Kuzu: "More importantly! Yukari-san! I have to check if you have any injuries!"
It's okay! You protected me, Kuzu-kun!
But! Let me see! Just to make sure!
I can't tell like this...
Sorry, but your blouse too.
Kuzu-kun worries about me, his eyes gentle and passionate.
One by one, my coat, blouse, and camisole are slipped off.
"No."
But it's not really no—honestly, at this point...
Before I know it, Kuzu-kun is also down to his underwear...
With practiced fingers, he unhooks my bra and kisses my sensitive spot... I can't help but let out a sound.
There's no reason to refuse anymore, so I answer his desires with a sweet voice.
Kuzu: "Good, no injuries... ...But I have to check every inch..."
I became a woman right before the culture festival.
In the back of my mind, I wonder what to do about my promise with Kousuke-kun on the second day of the culture festival.
Changing my mind in just a week is a really bad look... I need a story where I was meant to end up with Kuzu-kun from the start.
I really have changed.
But I'm sure Kousuke-kun would cheer me on, right? If I explain it well, maybe he'll even help me?
First up is the beauty contest preliminary tomorrow!
I'll never forgive Mishima Satsuki for that attack!